Self-contained power device

ABSTRACT

A tool is rendered easily operable and maneuverable for the performance of a wide range of work by means of an energy source in the form of a self-replenishing pressurized vapor supply decompression of which is controllable by an operator.

v United States Patent 1191 1111 3,802,519 Newton Apr. 9, 1974 [54] SELF-CONTAINED POWER DEVICE 1,492,159 4/ 1924 Caretta- 60/36 X 2,403,675 7/1946 Mitchell 72/391 X [75] Inventor: Albert Newton Bemlya Mass- 3,670,690 6/1972 Swanson 116/142 PF [73] Assigneez USM Corporation Boston Mass. 3,250,334 5/1966 Sussmann 173/18 134,083 12/1872 McKay 173/121 [22] Filed: Feb. 15, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 226,489 Primary ExaminerErnest R. Purser Assistant Examiner--William F. Pate, Ill 52 us. c1 173/169, 60/36, 72/391, Agem JOhnsm l73/D1G. 1, 175/93, 254/93 [51] Int. Cl B21d 31/00 57 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 173/169; 72/391, 114;

92/100. 60/36 239/289. 222/334. A tool 1s rendered eas1ly operable and maneuverable 1 i6/142 for the performance of a wide range of work by means of an energy source in the form of a self-replenishing [56] References Cited pressurized vapor supply decompression of which is UNITED STATES PATENTS controllable by an operator.

3,088,618 5/1963 Pickford 72/391 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures SELF-CONTAINED POWER DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to power driven implements.

Many consumer type tools as well as their counter parts designed for industrial use are difficult to operate manually and/or become burdensome after repeated use. Despite efforts to reduce bulk and weight they usually become unwieldly too because of the necessity to maintain their connection to more of less remote sources of electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic energy. While heretofore a great variety of implements and devices have been constructed to be hand-held during their operation by fluid pressure actuated mechanism, their portability, maneuverability, convenience, and

independence in operation have remained seriously limited because of necessary reliance upon an outside source of power.

This invention accordingly relates to the provision of an improved self-contained power driven device. More particularly this invention is concerned with provision of a manually controlled, fluid pressure operated, force applying implement repetitively operable by reliance on a self-replenishing source of vapor under pressure. It has heretofore been known to employ compressed gas for actuating tools, of course, and as a propellant; the present invention advantageously employs a change in phase of a low boiling point liquid to its gaseous state-to continuously produce and potentially apply force as and where required for the convenient performance of work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing it is a main object of this invention to provide an implement, especially a handheld tool, adapted upon demand to perform work on an article by applying the energy released upon decompression of a liquid associated with the body of the implement, the liquid being characterized by a low boiling point at sea level.

To this endand preferably, as herein shown, a feature of the invention resides in the provision of a device comprising a frame means for supporting a supply of low boiling point liquid, a piston-cylinder actuating means, one of the piston and cylinder being secured to the frame means, an implement operatively connected to be driven by the other of the piston and cylinder not secured to the frame means, and manual control means for momentarily decompressing the liquid to cause fluid pressure to be directed to the cylinder whereby the implement is driven.

As illustrated herein, a hand-held riveting tool is adapted to mount a container of the energizing liquid, for example a can of commercially available Freon, one of a group of polyhalogenated derivatives of methane and ethane containing fluorine and, in most cases, chlorine or bromine. While it is within the scope of this invention to connect the tool by a short supply line to a separately mounted source -of such liquid, it is preferred to exemplify the invention as embodied in a self contained tool wherein the means containing the liquid under compression is an integral or closely connected part thereof.

. It is especially to be noted that application of the invention is not limited to any particular type of tool or work performance since the invention is shown only by way of illustration as embodied in a riveting implement and can be employed in a great variety of devices including, without limitation, staplers, nail, tack and other fastener drivers, inserters, cutters, shapers, formers and deformers, etc. Primary opportunities for usage of the invention may be expected in those instances where operations are to be executed free from, or without convenient access to, permanent sources of conventional energy.

While the invention will be described herein with reference to employing the form of Freon normally and commonly designated Freon 12, this being a widely available containerized liquid advantageously exhibiting suitable low boiling point, non-flammability, chemical andthermal stability, and low toxicity, it will be understood that the invention is not restricted to use with a Freon or other particular low boiling point liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other features of the invention will now be more particularly described in connection with an illustrative blind riveting tool, and with reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, in'which:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation and partly in vertical section of a hand-held tool, the operative parts being shown in their initial or rest positions;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, with portions broken away of several of the parts shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a valve shown in FIG. 1 and partly in axial section; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tool corresponding largely to that shown in FIG. 1 but modified to render it operational at different angles in any vertical plane.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS I Referring mainly to FIG. 1, a self-contained, portable power tool generally designated 10 comprises a composite frame including a base 12 preferably having an integral grip portion 14 and a U-shaped housing 16 secured on the base 12. A head 18 secured to the housing 16 may be of any suitable construction, for example of the type corresponding essentially to that disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,088,618 issued May 7, 1963 in the name of G. Pickford. Such heads 18 customarily include a pair of mandrel gripping jaws (not shown) axially retractable by a drawbar 20 in the head after seizing the mandrel to set a tubular rivet by means of an enlarged mandrel head. As hitherto employed the rivet setting has relied for its required power upon manual exertion or provision of a remote connection of the tool to an electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic source of energy. In contrast thereto the present invention enables the tool 10 to have its drawbar 20 actuated by an energy source generally designated 22 associated directly with the device and independent of external connections as will be explained.

The energy source 22 for operating the tool 10 is herein illustrated as a container or can 24 for storing a liquid 26 and its vapor under pressure greater than atmospheric, the liquid being characterized by being ethane containing fluorine and usually chlorine or bromine. The dychlorodifluoromethane (C C1 F termed Freon 12, for instance, is found to have particularly desirable properties for actuating many types of tools: a boiling point of 29.8C.; non-flammable; low toxicity; and chemical stability over a range of working temperatures. Moreover, it is to be noted that despite rivet operations of the tool 10, or the like, by means of fluid pressure derived from the diminishing liquid 26 in a supply can 24, its vapor pressure at ordinarily room temperatures is automatically and continuously replenished at a constant pressure of about 65 lbs. per square inch. By way of example only, the contents of a 16 oz. can 24 of liquid Freon 12 has been employed in a tool to set on the order of 400-500 rivets by tensioning and breaking their mandrels having a diameter of approximately 0.076 inches.

As customarily supplied the liquid 26 and its vapor are retained under suitable pressure by an aerosol type valve (not shown) mounted in an opening at the top of the can 24. Accordingly as herein shown, the can is detachably connected to the base 12 as by a screw-in arrangement 28, and an adjustable valve actuating pin 30 threaded into the base 12 is disposed to depress and open the aerosol valve of the can as the latter is mounted on the tool. A passageway 32 in the base 12 communicates with an inlet 34 of a manual control valve generally designated 36 (FIGS. 1 and 3) and conveniently secured on the grip portion 14 for finger operation. The valve 36 shown is not in itself novel and may be of any suitable construction, its details being next referred to in conjunction with FIG. 3 for enabling an understanding of how pressure fluid from the can 24 may thereby be repeatedly directed to energize the tool head 18 (or other implement) for performing successive work strokes.

The valve 36 has a body 38 (FIG. 3) formed with a chamber 40 having an outlet port 42. One end of the body 38 threadedly carries a plug 44 for receiving pressure fluid via the inlet 34. When a plunger 46 is axially displaced to the right as seen in FIG. 3, by actuating a hollow control stem 48 initially loosely mating with a tapered portion 50 of the plunger 46, an axially apertured spool 52 on an end of the plunger is moved to the right from its closed position against resistance of a return spring 54 in the plug and of a larger return spring 56 in the chamber 40 to allow pressure fluid to pass through the plug, through the spool 52, into the chamber 40, and through the outlet port 42 for effecting tool operation. Exhaust of the pressure fluid via a port 58 in the stem 48 is blocked at this time by reason of the sealing engagement effected by the tapered portion 50 with the corresponding inner wall of the stem 48. When movement to the right of the stem causes a collar 60 on" the plunger 46 to'abut an end of the plug 44 and thus prevents further passage of pressure fluid for operating the tool 10, an operator ceases actuation of the control stem 48, and the larger spring 56 now urges the stem to return to its initial position relative to the plunger 46 thereby breaking their sealing relationship and allowing exhaust via the port 58.

As herein shown potential energy of the pressure fluid derived from the source 22 is, at the will of the operator, directed via the port 42 and an interconnecting tube 62to one side of a piston herein shown in the form of a pressure responsive flexible diaphragm 64. This diaphragm is anchored at its periphery between the confronting flanges of two complemental portions 66, 68 constituting the cylinder of a piston-cylinder device generally designated 70 (FIG. 1). The volume of the vapor receiving portion 66 is only a small portion of the potential volume of the vapor derivable at room temperature from the liquid 26. The device is secured to the base 12. Upon admission of pressure fluid into the device, in response to the temporary decompression of the liquid 26 as effected by shifting of the valve stem 48, the diaphragm 64 is forced to its dash line position in FIG. 1 thereby moving a piston rod 72 in an operating stroke, an end of the rod being connected to the center of the diaphragm by clamping members 74, 76.

The other end of the piston rod 72 is connected by appropriate linkage to actuate the drawbar 20 in a pulling stroke as will be described. It will be apparent that output of the diaphragm 64 or of the rod 72 may be utilized as appropriate to perform the particular work for which a tool is designed for energizing by the source 22, and a driving stroke in the reverse direction of the bar 20 may be provided in certain types of tools, or a rotary or other operating motion may be produced as desired, and is within the scope of this invention.

For applying mandrel pulling force to the drawbar in the tool 10, the rod 72 is reciprocable in a sleeve bearing 78 formed in the housing 16 and has an end 80 (FIGS. 1 and 2) arranged to bear on a cross pin 82 of a U-shaped lever 84. The latter is fulcrummed on a pivot pin 86 journalled in opposite sides of the housing 16 and carries coaxial trunnion pins 88, 88 extending into the drawbar 20. Referring to FIG. 1, the fluid pressure operation of the diaphragm 64 to pivot the lever 84 counterclockwise for setting a rivet is effected against resistance of a return spring 90 the ends of which are respectively secured to the lever and an ear 92 projecting in the housing 16. Hence, upon completion of an operating stroke and exhaust of fluid pressure via the port 58 the parts return to their initial positions in readiness for another operating cycle. Each cycle normally uses only a small fraction of the pressure fluid which is automatically available from the liquid phase and the liquid 26 continues to provide at substantially constant pressure the energy for each cycle on demand as the valve 36 allows its momentary decompression.

Many modifications of the tool 10 for riveting, or for other functions such as cutting, puncturing, forming, stapling, etc., are possible to meet particular operating requirements. As only one example, if a pushing stroke is desired for actuating an implement instead of a pulling stroke, the head 18 can be removed and, after minor change in shape of the housing 16 to accommodate motions, the lever 84 can be reversed to position its fulcrum 86 on the opposite side of the trunnion pins 88. It will be apparent that other portions of the tool also can be changed greatly in adapting application of this invention to the performance of a variety of specific tasks.

Since it is not desired to have the liquid 26, in its liquid phase, flow through the passageway 32 from the can 24, the tool 10 should generally be held in vertical orientation as shown in FIG. 1. A pair of arcuate clamps 94, 94 affixed to the base 12 and engageable with opposite sides of the can when it is threaded in may be used to support the can on the tool in upright position.

Reviewing briefly the operation of the riveter shown in FIGS. 1-3, a mandrel of a rivet-mandrel will be thrust into the pulling jaws of the head 18 and the rivet barrel placed in'a bore of a mounting structure while holding the tool by its grip 14. Now the valve control stem 48 will be momentarily depressed with one finger to shift the plunger 46 and allow decompression of the liquid 26. Pressure fluid in the vapor phase of that liquid will thereupon at once move the diaphragm 64 as described to cause the drawbar 20 to effect a pulling stroke for installing the rivet. ln moving from its position shown in FIG. 3 to its plug-abutting position, the collar 60 allows metering of vaporization during decompressing of the liquid 26 and to the extent required for performing a work stroke by the piston rod 72. Release of the valve stem 48 permits the valve 36 to exhaust fluid pressure in the system whereupon the spring 90 returns the device to its starting condition for another work cycle, the spring 54 insuring closure of the exhaust port 58. These cycles can continue until the fluid 26 has been substantially entirely emptied from the can 24.

FIG.- 4 illustrates a modification of the tool 10 whereby it may be used for riveting at substantially any angle in a vertical plane without danger of the liquid 26 in the can 24 entering the tool in liquid phase. For convenience like parts bear corresponding reference characters in the following description. In this revised design the can 24 of energizing fluid has its aerosol type valve opened in response to connection of the can to the vertically depending end of a right-angular, stiff tube 100. This tube rotatably extends through at least one, and as shown preferably a pair of horizontally aligned bearings 102, 102 secured to the base 12. A horizontal end portion of the tube 100 has connection with a flexible coil type of hose 104 which extends to the inlet 34 of the valve 36 which operates as above described.

As indicated in FIG. 4, regardless of whether the riveting (or other function) is to be accomplished in any vertical plane at different operating angles depicted by the solid line or dash line positions of the head 18, the influence of gravity on the can 24 will enable it to remain in substantially fixed vertical orientation with the liquid 26 remaining in its bottom. portion. The remainder of the tool, i.e., its base 12, housing 16, griping portion 14, and the bearings 102 rotate as desired about the horizontal axis of the tube 100, the hose 104 flexing under torsion as needed'and supplying vapor pressure as demanded by the valve 36. The illustrative modification shown in FIG. 4 to permit angular operation of the tool is recognized as one of a number of possible solutions to enabling wide and controlled usage of a low boiling point liquid vaporizable on decompression, at room temperature or thereabouts, as a practical energy source for rendering devices self-contained.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A power driven device comprising a frame, means associated therewith for containing a supply of low boiling point liquid under pressure greater than atmospheric, means movably mounting the liquid containing meanswith respect to the frame so that regardless of orientation of the frame the liquid will, due to the influence of gravity, occupy the lower portion of the container means and vapor of the liquid will occupy the upper portion of the container means adjacent to an opening therein, a piston-cylinder actuating means, one of the piston and cylinder being secured to the frame, an implement operatively connected to be driven by the other of the piston and cylinder not secured to the frame, and control means movable between closed and open positions for momentarily decompressing the liquid and thereby metering resultant fluid pressure to be directed from said container means into the cylinder whereby the implement is driven.

2. A power driven device comprising a frame, means associated therewith for containing a supply of low boiling point liquid under pressure greater than atmospheric, said means having an outlet secured to the vertical end of a rigid, right-angular tube relatively rotatable in bearing means in the frame, a pistoncylinder actuating means, one of the piston and cylinder being secured to the frame, an implement operatively connected to be driven by the other of the piston and cylin-' der not connected to the frame, manual control means movable between closed and open positions for momentarily decompressing the liquid and thereby metering resultant fluid pressure to be directed into the cylinder for driving the implement, and a torsionally flexible conduit secured to a horizontal portion of said tube and arranged to transmit vapor fluid pressure to said manual control means.

3. A portable, self-contained repetitive tool comprising a frame, a container for storing a vapor and a liquid readily vaporizable under pressure approaching atmospheric pressure, a work engaging implement movably mounted on the frame, a cylinder secured to the frame, a piston means axially movable in the cylinder and having operative connection to the implement, said cylinder being of a volume to contain only a fraction of the volume of said liquid when and if wholly vaporized at atmospheric pressure and room temperature, conduit means interconnecting an opening in the container with the cylinder, said conduit means including a portion connected to the container and relatively rotatable about an axis extending through a horizontal portion of the frame, and a manually operable metering valve in the conduit means for controlling admissionof pressure fluid to the cylinder upon actuation of the valve to allow decompression of a fraction of the liquid in said container.

4. A portable, self-contained repetitive tool comprising a frame, a container for storing a vapor and a liquid readily vaporizable under pressure approaching atmospheric pressure, a work engaging implement movably mounted on the frame, a cylinder secured to the frame, a piston means axially movable in the cylinder and having operative connection to the implement, said cylinder being of a volume to contain only a fraction of the volume of said liquid when and if wholly vaporized at atmospheric pressure and room temperature, conduit means interconnecting an opening in the container with the cylinder, said conduit means including a portion connected to the container and relatively rotatable about an axis extending through a horizontal portion of the frame, and a manually operable metering valve in the conduit means for controlling admission of pressure fluid to the cylinder upon actuation of the valve to allow decompression of a fraction of the liquid in said container, said conduit means including a flexible coil portion interconnecting the conduit portion with an inlet of said valve. 

1. A power driven device comprising a frame, means associated therewith for containing a supply of low boiling point liquid under pressure greater than atmospheric, means movably mounting the liquid containing means with respect to the frame so that regardless of orientation of the frame the liquid will, due to the influence of gravity, occupy the lower portion of the container means and vapor of the liquid will occupy the upper portion of the container means adjacent to an opening therein, a piston-cylinder actuating means, one of the piston and cylinder being secured to the frame, an implement operatively connected to be driven by the other of the piston and cylinder not secured to the frame, and control means movable between closed and open positions for momentarily decompressing the liquid and thereby metering resultant fluid pressure to be directed from said container means into the cylinder whereby the implement is driven.
 2. A power driven device comprising a frame, means associated therewith for containing a supply of low boiling point liquid under pressure greater than atmospheric, said means having an outlet secured to the vertical end of a rigid, right-angular tube relatively rotatable in bearing means in the frame, a piston-cylinder actuating means, one of the piston and cylinder being secured to the frame, an implement operatively connected to be driven by the other of the piston and cylinder not connected to the frame, manual control means movable between closed and open positions for momentarily decompressing the liquid and thereby metering resultant fluid pressure to be directed into the cylinder for driving the implement, and a torsionally flexible conduit secured to a horizontal portion of said tube and arranged to transmit vapor fluid pressure to said manual control means.
 3. A portable, self-contained repetitive tool comprising a frame, a container for storing a vapor and a liquid readily vaporizable under pressure approaching atmospheric pressure, a work engaging implement movably mounted on the frame, a cylinder secured to the frame, a piston means axially movable in the cylinder and having operative connection to the implement, said cylinder being of a volume to contain only a fraction of the volume of said liquid when and if wholly vaporized at atmospheric pressure and room temperature, conduit means interconnecting an opening in the container with the cylinder, said conduit means including a portion connected to tHe container and relatively rotatable about an axis extending through a horizontal portion of the frame, and a manually operable metering valve in the conduit means for controlling admission of pressure fluid to the cylinder upon actuation of the valve to allow decompression of a fraction of the liquid in said container.
 4. A portable, self-contained repetitive tool comprising a frame, a container for storing a vapor and a liquid readily vaporizable under pressure approaching atmospheric pressure, a work engaging implement movably mounted on the frame, a cylinder secured to the frame, a piston means axially movable in the cylinder and having operative connection to the implement, said cylinder being of a volume to contain only a fraction of the volume of said liquid when and if wholly vaporized at atmospheric pressure and room temperature, conduit means interconnecting an opening in the container with the cylinder, said conduit means including a portion connected to the container and relatively rotatable about an axis extending through a horizontal portion of the frame, and a manually operable metering valve in the conduit means for controlling admission of pressure fluid to the cylinder upon actuation of the valve to allow decompression of a fraction of the liquid in said container, said conduit means including a flexible coil portion interconnecting the conduit portion with an inlet of said valve. 